It came as a surprise that Betty needed to see an eye doctor in the Dominican Republic. Before we embarked on this family adventure — called sailing SV Aphrodite — all six of us had our eyes tested. It was part of our broader preparation for setting sail and living afloat.
But just a year later, Betty began complaining that she couldn’t see the blackboard at the local school she attends in Luperón. She needed her eyes re-tested. Yet, none of our family speaks Spanish.
How We Found an Eye Doctor in the Dominican Republic
Enter Ana Lopez, proprietor of the Casa Lopez convenience store, and patron saint of English-speaking cruisers.
Ana has been helpful to our family on many occasions. She is valued by me to the point that she is on our family’s school contact list. It was Ana who recently helped locate us when Paul’s school worried that he might be having an allergic reaction.
I visited Ana’s shop and solicited her help to find an eye doctor for Betty. Ana contacted a pediatrician, and then she contacted a large hospital called Clínica Corominas in Santiago.
English-Speaking Eye Doctors in Santiago
Betty and Rick saw two eye doctors.
Pediatric Eye Doctor
After making several phone calls, Ana found Betty an English-speaking pediatric eye doctor. The eye doctor is Dr. Tania Sarita.
Eye Doctor for Adults
If you are an adult and in need of an eye doctor, then Dr. Sebastian Guzmán is another English-speaking eye doctor. He also works at the Clínica Corominas hospital on the same floor as Dr. Sarita. My husband, Rick, saw him this afternoon when he went with Betty to Santiago.
Cost to See An Eye Doctor in the Dominican Republic
Rick’s eye appointment lasted a full hour and cost 1500 pesos, which is about $40 U.S.
Betty’s eye appointment with Dr. Sarita lasted about 10 minutes and cost 2200 pesos, which is about $55 U.S.
You can expect prices to vary depending on what doctor or clinic you visit.
Betty’s Reaction to Her First Pair of Glasses
Betty has been to the eye doctor in Ottawa since she was three years old, but she had no need for glasses. That changed today.
Betty is now the ecstatic owner of a pair of perfectly pink eyeglasses.
Her reaction was very similar to mine when I got my first pair of glasses, which were also pink. I was about her age and the difference felt miraculous.
She says it’s like she’s been looking at a painting but now that she has glasses she’s actually part of the painting. She commented on the texture of many things. She could read the name of the boat that is moored next to us.
My description is not doing her excitement justice. I shall let Betty tell you in her own words about her new glasses.
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Ana does sound like a treasure. Betty’s glasses look great! I remember the same sense of discovery when I got glasses. Enjoy Betty.